Hwasun County has begun implementing preventive measures to reduce damage to crops and agricultural facilities caused by heavy rain, in preparation for the upcoming monsoon season.

On June 24, Hwasun County announced that, with strong rain and localized downpours expected during the monsoon period, it will provide farmers with crop-specific management guidelines, strengthen on-site technical support, and enhance monitoring for pests and diseases.

The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts that this year’s monsoon will likely bring frequent heavy downpours and higher precipitation due to atmospheric instability.

Accordingly, the county urged rice farmers to remove weeds and debris from drainage channels to ensure smooth water flow. In the event of flooding, farmers were advised to quickly drain water so that the tips of rice leaves remain above the water surface, and to replace the water with clean water to help crops recover.

For upland crops, the county recommended installing drainage channels at least 30 centimeters deep for effective drainage, and supporting crop recovery after the rain by applying foliar fertilizers such as urea or compound fertilizers.

For fruit growers, the county encouraged the maintenance of drainage around orchards and the installation of nonwoven fabric to prevent soil erosion. In particular, it stressed the importance of timely pest control before and after rainfall to prevent anthracnose, which can easily occur in the warm and humid conditions of the monsoon season.

The county will also strengthen the inspection of agricultural facilities. It advised checking the safety of electrical systems, retaining walls, and drainage facilities in advance, and emphasized thorough disinfection and quarantine management in livestock barns.

The county called for particular caution not only to prevent crop damage during heavy rain but also to avoid safety accidents. Residents were advised to avoid approaching retaining walls, embankments, and steep slopes where the ground may be weakened, and to refrain from unnecessary outings.

Choi Eunsun, Director of the Hwasun County Agricultural Technology Center, stated, "The scale of crop damage during the monsoon season can vary greatly depending on how well it is prepared for in advance," and added, "We will do our best to minimize damage to farmers by strengthening on-site technical support and pest and disease monitoring activities."

Source - https://www.asiae.co.kr